Italy & Greece

Travel to Italy

Arrive

9:10am Arrive in Florence at the airport. Attendance will be taken as students exit the plane and at the baggage claim area, as well as various points in the airport. Transfer to Hotel by coach Bus. 

11:00am We will check into the hotel and drop off our baggage.  

11:30pm Group will meet in the lobby of the hotel. Attendance will be taken. As a whole group, we will walk to lunch.  Head counts and attendance will be done while en route to the restaurant. Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the restaurant.  

1:30pm Attendance will be taken as we leave the restaurant.  As a group, we will walk to the Uffizi Gallery. Students will be divided into smaller groups of perhaps 3 or 4. These small groups of students will have one hour to complete the first portion of the self-guided tour of the gallery. Students will meet at a designated spot after one hour.  Attendance will be taken. Students will then have an additional hour to complete the second portion of the self-guided tour while they remain in their groups of 3 or 4 students. Chaperones will be circulating through the gallery to supervise the small groups. Attendance will be taken before we exit the gallery.  

3:30pm We will walk as a group to Piazza della Signoria where students will be divided into groups of 3 or 4.  Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within while they get a snack and a drink. They must stay together as a group. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 4:30pm.  Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.

4:30pm Attendance will be taken.  As a group, we will walk to the Accademia. Students will be divided into smaller groups of 3 or 4. These small groups of students will have one hour to complete the self-guided tour of the gallery. Chaperones will be circulating through the gallery to supervise the small groups.  Attendance will be taken before we exit the gallery.

5:30pm Attendance will be taken before we exit the gallery. As a group we will walk to our cooking class.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals during along the way.

6:00pm Attendance will be taken as we enter the cooking school.  

8:00pm Attendance will be taken as we exit the cooking school.  We will take a night stroll as we make our way back to our hotel.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the route.   

9:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are to return to their rooms and remain in their designated rooms at all times.

10:00pm Preliminary bed check by teacher supervisor.  Attendance will be taken.

10:30pm Final bed check by supervisors of all students and all rooms.  Attendance will be taken. Students will remain in their rooms, in the hotel for the remainder of the night under the supervision of the chaperones.  

Explore Florence

7:00am Wakeup call.

8:00am Attendance will be taken as students eat breakfast.

9:00am Attendance will be taken in the lobby of hotel.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals as we take a walking tour of the piazza del duomo:

• The Dome – tower
• The Baptistery
• The Cathedral

11:30am Attendance will be taken as we end our walking tour at the market: Mercato Centrale.  Students will be divided into groups of three or four students. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within while they explore the market. They must stay together as a group. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 1:00pm.  Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.

1:00pm Attendance will be taken.  We will walk to a restaurant for lunch.  Attendance will be taken along the way. Attendance will be taken when we arrive at the restaurant.

2:30pm Attendance will be taken as we exit the restaurant.  Students will be divided into groups of three or four students. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within while they explore more sites in the centre of the city. They must stay together as a group. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 4:00pm.  Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.

4:00pm Attendance will be taken.  We will then tour the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and walk along the Lungarno to the Ponte Vecchio bridge.  Attendance will be taken at regular intervals along the route.

6:00pm As a group, we will walk back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.  Attendance will be taken en route.

6:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are not permitted to leave the hotel and must remain in their rooms or in the lobby of the hotel.  

7:00 pm Group will meet in the lobby of the hotel.  Attendance will be taken. As a whole group, we will walk to dinner.  Head counts and attendance will be done while en route to the restaurant.  

7:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the restaurant.  

9:30pm Attendance will be taken as we leave the restaurant.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the route.  

10:00pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are to return to their rooms and remain in their designated rooms at all times.

10:30pm Preliminary bed check by teacher supervisor.  Attendance will be taken.

11:00pm Final bed check by supervisors of all students and all rooms.  Attendance will be taken. Students will remain in their rooms, in the hotel for the remainder of the night under the supervision of the chaperones.  

Transfer to Rome

6:30am Wakeup call.

7:00am Attendance will be taken in the lobby of hotel and as we board our private coach to Rome. Breakfast “to go” from hotel.

11:30am Arrive in Rome.  We will check into the hotel and drop off our baggage.

12:00pm Group will meet in the lobby of the hotel. Attendance will be taken. We will walk to the subway.  Attendance will be taken along the route. Attendance will be taken before we get on the subway, while we’re on the subway, and when we exit the subway.  We will walk from the subway and stop for lunch along the route to the Colosseum. Attendance will be taken at regular intervals along the way and when we arrive at the restaurant.  

1:30pm We will walk from the restaurant to the Colosseum.  Head counts will be taken along the route.

2:00pm We will have a guided tour of the Colosseum.  Head counts and attendance will be taken at regular intervals.  

4:00pm Attendance will be taken before we walk to the Forum.  Attendance will be taken along the route.

4:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the Forum.  We will have a guided tour of the Forum. Head counts and attendance will be taken at regular intervals.  

6:00pm Attendance will be taken before we leave the Forum.  We will walk to the subway as a group. Attendance will be taken along the way.  Attendance will be taken before we get on the subway, while we’re on the subway, and when we exit the subway.  We will walk back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner. Attendance will be taken en route.

6:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are not permitted to leave the hotel and must remain in their rooms or in the lobby of the hotel.  

7:30 pm Group will meet in the lobby of the hotel. Attendance will be taken. As a whole group, we will walk to dinner.  Head counts and attendance will be done while en route to the restaurant.

8:00pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the restaurant.  

10:00pm Attendance will be taken as we leave the restaurant.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the route.  

10:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are to return to their rooms and remain in their designated rooms at all times.

11:00pm Final bed check by supervisors of all students and all rooms.  Attendance will be taken. Students will remain in their rooms, in the hotel for the remainder of the night under the supervision of the chaperones.  

Explore Rome

6:30am Wakeup call.

7:30am Attendance will be taken as students eat breakfast.

8:15am Attendance will be taken in the lobby of the hotel.  We will walk to the subway as a group. Attendance will be taken along the way.  Attendance will be taken before we get on the subway, while we’re on the subway, and when we exit the subway.  We will walk from the subway into Vatican city. Head counts will be taken along the route.

9:00am Attendance will be taken as we enter the Vatican.  Today we will be enjoying a guided tour of the Vatican, the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Bascilica, and the Cupola.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals during the tour.

12:00pm Students will have one and a half hours to get some lunch and walk around the streets of St. Peter’s Square.  Students will be divided into groups of three or four. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within.  They must stay together as a group. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 1:30pm. Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.  

1:30pm Attendance will be taken.  We will walk to the subway as a group.  Attendance will be taken along the way. Attendance will be taken before we get on the subway, while we’re on the subway, and when we exit the subway.  We will walk from the subway to Piazza Navona. Head counts will be taken along the route.

2:00pm As we arrive at Piazza Navona, students will be divided into groups of three or four. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within while they explore this square.  They must stay together as a group. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 2:30pm. Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.

2:30pm Attendance will be taken.  As a group, we will walk to Piazza della Rotonda where the Pantheon is located.  Head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the way. Students will be divided into smaller groups of 3 or 4. These small groups of students will have one hour to complete the self-guided tour of the Pantheon and the Piazza della Rotonda. Students will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within.  Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.

3:30pm Attendance will be taken.  We will then walk as a group to Piazza Colonna – Marcus Aurelius Column – and the Trevi fountain in the heart of ancient Rome.  Attendance will be taken at regular intervals along the way.

3:45pm Students will be divided into smaller groups of 3 or 4. These small groups of students will have one hour to explore this area.   Students will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within. Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.  

4:45pm Attendance will be taken.  We will then walk as a group to the Piazza di Spagna where the Spanish steps are located.  Attendance will be taken at regular intervals along the way.

5:00pm Students will be divided into smaller groups of 3 or 4. These small groups of students will have one hour to explore this area.   Students will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within. Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.  

6:00pm Attendance will be taken.  We will walk to the subway as a group.  Attendance will be taken along the way. Attendance will be taken before we get on the subway, while we’re on the subway, and when we exit the subway.  We will walk back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner. Attendance will be taken en route.

6:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are not permitted to leave the hotel and must remain in their rooms or in the lobby of the hotel.  

7:30 pm Group will meet in the lobby of the hotel. Attendance will be taken. As a whole group, we will walk to dinner.  Head counts and attendance will be done while en route to the restaurant.

8:00pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the restaurant.  

10:00pm Attendance will be taken as we leave the restaurant.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the route.  

10:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are to return to their rooms and remain in their designated rooms at all times.

10:45pm Preliminary bed check by teacher supervisor.  Attendance will be taken.

11:15pm Final bed check by supervisors of all students and all rooms.  Attendance will be taken. Students will remain in their rooms, in the hotel for the remainder of the night under the supervision of the chaperones.  

Pompeii

5:30am Wakeup call.

6:00am Attendance will be taken as students eat breakfast.

7:00am After an early breakfast, check out of your Rome hotel and depart via coach bus south towards Naples, via Pompeii. Attendance will be taken 

9:30am Upon arriving in Pompeii, participate in a guided tour of the city. In 79 AD, the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the city of Pompeii. Since the excavation, the city was found to be amazingly preserved. It has provided detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. We will learn about the archeologist excavation strategies and history of the area.

12:00pm Students will have one and a half hours to get some lunch and walk around the streets. Students will be divided into groups of three or four. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within.  They must stay together as a group. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 1:30pm. Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.  

1:30pm Attendance will be taken.

1:45pm After lunch enjoy a visit to nearby Boscoreale.

2:00pm In the afternoon, enjoy a light hike up Mount Vesuvius. Walk all the way up to the Gran Cono and experience fabulous views of Naples. Along the way, take time to marvel at the wonderfully rich diversity of plants thrown up by the volcanic soil in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 

6:00 PM Continue on to Naples by Coach Bus. Attendance will be taken 

7:30 PM Enjoy a group dinner as a group. Attendance taken before loading bus at end of meal. 

9:00 PM Check into your accommodations. Attendance will be taken 

Naples

8:30am Have breakfast at the hotel. Attendance to be taken 

9:30am Depart by coach bus. 

10:20am Arrive at Herculaneum, another nearby town that was also destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins here are a great source of archaeological discoveries and it is the second most popular ruin site in the area after Pompeii.

Depart by Coach Bus. Attendance will be taken

4:00pm Next, explore the Naples National Archaeological Museum. One of the most important archaeological museums in the world. The museum is home to a vast collection of Roman artifacts, in addition to Greek and Renaissance-era pieces.

Walk to Dinner as a group. Attendance will be taken

Evening Sit down to group dinner in Naples. Attendance will be taken 

8:30pm After dinner, attend a live opera performance at the renowned Teatro San Carlo in Naples: Madreincerta – Montalbetti! This theater is the oldest opera house in all of Italy.

Attendance to be taken at end of performance. Board the coach bus.

After the performance, head to Rome, check into the hotel and prepare to return home in the morning.

Transfer to Athens, Greece

3:15am Wakeup call.

4:00am Attendance will be taken in the lobby of the hotel.  Students will receive a boxed breakfast. We will board the private coach and head to the Rome (Ciampino) as we head to Athens.  

4:45am Arrive at the airport.  Attendance will be taken as the students get off the bus.  We will remain together as a group until we reach the departure gate. Attendance will be taken at regular intervals as we move through the airport. When we reach the departure gate, students will be divided into groups of three or four. Students must stay together as a group. Students will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within. Students will be meeting back at the departure gate at a designated time and attendance will be taken.

6:15am Board flight to Athens.  Attendance will be taken as students load onto the plane.

9:10am Arrive in Athens at the airport. (One hour ahead).  Attendance will be taken as students exit the plane and at the baggage claim area, as well as various points in the airport.

10:00am Transfer via private coach to our hotel.  Attendance will be taken as we board the bus.  

11:00am Arrive at our hotel.  Students will drop off their luggage at the hotel and we will head out.  Attendance will be taken before we leave the hotel.

11:30am We will walk to the subway as a group and stop to get lunch along the way.  Attendance will be taken along the way. Attendance will be taken before we get on the subway, while we’re on the subway, and when we exit the subway.  

Stop for lunch Lunch en route

1:30pm We will arrive at Acropolis.  We will take a guided tour of the Acropolis including the Temple of Athena Nike, Agora, Theatre of Dionysus and the Parthenon.  Attendance will be taken at regular intervals during the tour.

3:30pm We will leave Acropolis and take a “hop on/hop off” bus tour of:

• The Presidential Palace and the Presidential Guard
• The Tomb of the Unknown Solider
• National Garden
• National Library
• The first modern Olympic stadium
• Omonia and Syntagma squares
• The neighbourhood of Plaka

Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the route.

5:30pm We will walk to the subway as a group.  Attendance will be taken along the way. Attendance will be taken before we get on the subway, while we’re on the subway, and when we exit the subway.  We will head back to the hotel to freshen up. Attendance will be taken along the route.

6:00pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are not permitted to leave the hotel and must remain in their rooms or in the lobby of the hotel.  

7:00pm Group will meet in the lobby of the hotel. Attendance will be taken. As a whole group, we will walk to dinner.  Head counts and attendance will be done while en route to the restaurant.

7:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the restaurant.  

9:00pm Attendance will be taken as we leave the restaurant.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the route as we explore more of the Plaka neighbourhood with our tour guide.    

10:00pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are to return to their rooms and remain in their designated rooms at all times.

10:30pm Preliminary bed check by teacher supervisor.  Attendance will be taken.

11:00pm Final bed check by supervisors of all students and all rooms.  Attendance will be taken. Students will remain in their rooms, in the hotel for the remainder of the night under the supervision of the chaperones.  

Nafplio

6:30am Wakeup call.

7:30am Attendance will be taken as students eat breakfast.

8:30am Attendance will be taken in the lobby of the hotel.  We will take a private coach to Mycenae to see the ancient ruins.

10:00am   Attendance will be taken as we exit the bus.  We will take a guided tour of this archaeological site.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals during the tour.

12:00pm We will board our private coach.  Attendance will be taken. We will drive to Nafplio.  

12:30pm We will exit the bus and walk into the city centre to become oriented with restaurant district in Nafplio.  Students will be divided into groups of three or four. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within.  Students will get some lunch.

2:00pm Attendance will be taken.  We will then walk as a group up to the Palamidi Fortress, spend time touring the fortress, and enjoy the views of the old town of Akronafplia.  Attendance will be taken at regular intervals. We will then walk down the stairs as a group. Attendance will be taken at the bottom.

3:30pm We will congregate at a central location.  Students will be divided into groups of three or four. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within.  They must stay together as a group while they explore the city centre. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 4:00pm.  Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.

4:30pm Attendance will be taken at the meeting spot.  We will board the private coach and return to Athens.  

6:30pm Arrive at the restaurant for dinner.  Attendance will be taken as we enter the restaurant.

8:00pm    Attendance will be taken at regular intervals as we walk to the theatre for a live music performance.  Attendance will be taken as we enter the theatre.

9:30pm Attendance will be taken as we exit the theatre and walk back to the hotel.   Attendance will be taken along the route.

10:00pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are to return to their rooms and remain in their designated rooms at all times.

10:30pm Preliminary bed check by teacher supervisor.  Attendance will be taken.

11:00pm Final bed check by supervisors of all students and all rooms.  Attendance will be taken. Students will remain in their rooms, in the hotel for the remainder of the night under the supervision of the chaperones.  

Explore Athens

6:30am Wakeup call.

7:30am Attendance will be taken as students eat breakfast.

8:30am Attendance will be taken in the lobby of the hotel.  We will take a private coach to Cape Sounion.

10:00am Arrive at Cape Sounion.  Attendance will be taken as we start our walking tour of this archaeological site.  Attendance will be taken at regular intervals during our guided tour.

12:30pm Attendance will be taken as we get back onto the coach and head back to Athens.

2:00pm Stop at a restaurant for lunch.  Attendance will be taken as we leave the restaurant.  

3:30pm   We will congregate at a central location in the heart of the city.  Students will be divided into groups of three or four. Groups will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within.  They must stay together as a group while they explore the local market and local neighbourhood sites. We will designate a meeting place where all students will meet at 5:30pm.  Chaperones will be circulating throughout the area to supervise the small groups.

5:30pm Attendance will be taken.  We will head back to the hotel to freshen up.  Attendance will be taken along the route.

6:00pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are not permitted to leave the hotel and must remain in their rooms or in the lobby of the hotel.  

7:00 pm Group will meet in the lobby of the hotel. Attendance will be taken. As a whole group, we will walk to dinner.  Head counts and attendance will be done while en route to the restaurant.

7:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the restaurant.  

9:00pm Attendance will be taken as we leave the restaurant.  Attendance and head counts will be taken at regular intervals along the route as we head back to the hotel.      

9:30pm Attendance will be taken as we arrive at the hotel.  Students are to return to their rooms and remain in their designated rooms at all times.

10:00pm Preliminary bed check by teacher supervisor.  Attendance will be taken.

10:30pm Final bed check by supervisors of all students and all rooms.  Attendance will be taken. Students will remain in their rooms, in the hotel for the remainder of the night under the supervision of the chaperones.  

Return home

5:45am Wakeup call.  

8:00am Attendance will be taken as students eat breakfast.

9:00am Attendance will be taken before we board the private coach to the airport.

10:00am Arrival at the airport. Attendance will be taken as we enter the airport.  We will remain together as a group until we reach the departure gate. Attendance will be taken at regular intervals as we move through the airport. When we reach the departure gate, students will be divided into groups of three or four. Students must stay together as a group. Students will be given instructions as to the parameters they must stay within. Students will be meeting back at the departure gate at a designated time and attendance will be taken.

1:05pm Approximate departure time of flight from Athens. Attendance will be taken as students load onto the plane.

5:00pm Arrival time of flight in Toronto. Attendance will be taken as students exit the plane and at the baggage claim area, as well as various points in the airport. Group leaders will remain with their groups until every parent “signs” their child out with the leader.